Mr Tice, 54, wants Sir Kim replaced by a “pro-Brexit businessman” – a description which fits both himself and Mr Farage.

Ms Oakeshott, 45, yesterday refused to comment on her relationship with the politician, who has left his wife Emma, saying: “It’s a private matter.”

But she insisted her lover was not involved in the leak of the envoy’s emails which described Donald Trump’s administration as “dysfunctional” and “inept”.

Mum-of-three Ms Oakeshott, who separated from husband Nigel Rosser in 2018, said: “Richard had nothing to do with the cables. He has never seen them, never handled them and was not involved in acquiring them.

“Tempting though it is to put two and two together to make 55, there is no link between him and the ambassador story.” But since then Mr Tice has had plenty so say about Sir Kim’s resignation – and who should get the job.

After the envoy quit in the absence of backing from Boris Johnson in a TV debate, Mr Tice tweeted: “Should be pro-Brexit businessperson who can accelerate free trade talks Darroch had been lamentable at.”

He later added: “Now it’s time for a pro-Brexit businessman to be appointed who can lead a quick US trade deal.”

Mr Tice fits the bill. He is chief executive of Quidnet Capital LLP which manages around £500million of property. He was founder of Leave Means Leave and became Brexit Party MEP for East of England in May.

But yesterday a family friend insisted he does not want the US job. She said: “The idea never crossed his mind.